Photographer's Note

‘Kyoto - Gion - Spring in Japan / Taking selfies’

’Sakura’ is the Japanese name for ornamental cherry trees that bloom abundantly all over the country in springtime.

The Meteorological Agency in Japan records the opening and the full bloom of the blossoms from the south of the country in late March to Hokkaidō in the north in the middle of May. The advance of the cherry blossoms across the country is also the subject of regular reports by the news agencies.
In Japan the transience of the blossoms, the extreme beauty and the quick death have often been associated with life and mortality. By this symbolism the cherry blossom is of great public interest. In spring 'flower viewing' is extremely popular.

The picture is taken in a higher part of Gion in Kyoto where people went to take pictures of the sunset through the branches with the blossoms.
Instead of posting a sunset picture I preferred this image of the young Japanese girls taking selfies.

Hi Paul,the cherry trees blooming is always a great moment in Japan,and you were very lucky to see this spectacle.A very nice capture,with these colorful girls making selfies...eheheh...i like the scene,original and very well done with a special quality of detail and exposure.Have a nice Sunday and thanks,Luciano

Hi Paul. Good planning to be there at Sakura time. i was there in Autumn, but not at peak time. The young ladies themselves look like blossoms. Nice moment- a mixture of ancient ways and modern. Regards. Klaudio.

Hi Paul, Now the people are taking selfies everywhere. It is less disturbing than posing for someone else. Marvelous photo with the women in kimonos and blossoming sakura trees. Better than n-th sunset :).
WArm regrads from Graz MAlgo

Traditional Kimonos and a modern cell-phones, each lady has, Paul.
The colors and the painted theme of the Kimonos are charming, and picture is under good light and saturation.
Spring blossom made the whole looks fabulousely.
Cheers,
Ike

Konichiwa Paul san
Spring in Japan does indeed looks splendid in this beautiful photo. The amazing roofs of the houses with the beautiful cherry tree in full bloom would in itself make for a great photo, but with the added bonus of these gorgeous ladies in their even more beautiful kimonos it becomes a real winner. Wonderful scene, perfectly catched.
have a great sunday
Daniel

Hi Paul, very good view of this interesting and beautiful scene of daily life, very well captured in this very good photograph. Interesting picture with good sharpness, light and color. Very good and nice job perfectly done, congratulations my friend. Thanks for sharing this interesting work.

Good evening and happy start to the week.
Warm greetings from southern Spain.
Angel.

Hello Paul,
this picture has combined plenty of different aspects and really like this originality. One can see the iconic cheery trees which has been always associated with Japan and some interesting looking architecture in the background but you were also very right about the group of the girls. Their bright colored kimonos are very eye catching and seeing them matched with contemporary cameras make funny contrast. Well spotted and executed.
Thanks for sharing
Regards
Kamila

Hello Paul,
How I wish I could have taken this photo. It's so much more interesting than any other sunset. It has a perfect combination of beauty and humour, of Japanese traditions and the contemporary madness for taking selfies. I think it captures modern Japan perfectly.
Greetings from Poland.
Gert

Hello Paul,
Japan spring is beautiful at this image. Nice place near by blooming cherry trees. Also I like the traditional Japanese costumes of women. Good presentation. Well done photo.
Have a nice day.
Aleksander

Hi Paul,
fantastic photo, I like the combination of the blooming trees and the young ladies in traditional clothes -so richly decorated and colorful. I guess you were part of the group and clothed in the traditional costume accordingly.
Excellent work,
M

Good morning my dear friend
this shot changed my mood today
looking at this photo I see colors
beauty and imprssive details
the women s dresses are similar
to the flowers of the tree
here is a springs aroma
I love shots of this kind with
a special quality of details
those women in colorful kimonos
decorate this photo
greetings
regards
have a nice time
Costantino

Several things surprised me in your photograph; first, that the girls would be dressed in traditional costumes, second, that they would be wearing socks with post sandals and lastly, that they would be taking selfies with mobile phones. I suppose, these things are everywhere in public places.

Your shot, however, is delightful. The flowering cherry is strongly placed and makes the most attractive b/g against which to frame these attractive Japanese girls. They are sharply portrayed and I love the height difference as we move down the steps.

I don't think a sunset is going to match the color pallet you've collected with this one, smart choice! :) It drives me crazy when I see people in this act of taking "selfies," and yet, to see it as a picture in itself is quite enjoyable. A wonderful moment captured that expresses our current day and local culture from this location. There's a lot to take in, but it all works peacefully to result in an attractive and well balanced image. Great eye to have looked past the obvious, which has brought many a smile I'm sure. Have a great day ahead. All the best.

Hello Paul - I've been away and have missed your Japanese shots ... so different from your last series!

This is both charming and amusing. The lovely girls in their traditional dress and the cherry blossom both point to the Japanese culture and history. The trend for taking 'selfies' very much of today's modern world.

Hi Paul!
What a lovely and charming picture!
Of course those ladies, the buildings behind them and those cherry trees are wonderful, but you did a great photo job with all of those details too!
TFS - congrats,
Cheers,
Neyvan

Hi Paul.
A delicious composition, which contrasts the tradition of costumes, with the latest digital technology, the girls are using, lovely design and color of these kimonos, which have a strong chromaticism to the scene, delicious sight of cherry blossoms.
A superb range of color.
Good management of the brightness and sharpness.
Splendid image. My compliments.
Good start to the week.
Best wishes.
Luis

Yesterday I replied to your comment with the following note, if you have not read:

Hi Paul.
Frigiliana is not part of the Alpujarras. It is close to the coast, more or less 10 km. Nerja, que has nice beaches. Las Alpujarras belong to the province of Granada and Malaga are here. Hope is explanatory note.
A greeting.
Luis.

Hello Paul,
It must be very interesting for photographers to be in Japon at springtime.Many beautiful colors in your picture. Not only the flowers are in full bloom, but the girls also wear nice colorful dresses with flowers.Superb colors.TFS.
Have a nice day.
Alain

Hello Paul,
A beautiful lively composition in sakura time. I like all the elements combining the photo like the woman who are taking selfie in a kimonos, typical japanese buildings at background.
Best regards,
Ecmel

Hello Paul,
I like very much this picture of exotic (in my eyes) elegance. The natural elements, the architecture and the ladies are so attractive and elegant, their coexistence in your frame is wonderful. You achieved a delightful sense of balance and fine details, the ladies are well placed and the setting is deep and comprehensive. The colours and the atmosphere are very charming. Congratulations and thank you!
All the best, have a great evening,
Ourania

Hi Paul!
What a big contrast! The traditional houses in background and the girls wearing the traditional costumes and surrounded by cherry trees are tímeless, but the mobiles really take us to our days. They look absolutely concentrated on the photos they are taking. Great scene!

Gorgeous shot with the women in traditional cloth, it feels like going back in time. The only thing that keep us in the now is the cell phone and digital cameras. The low light with rich color really make it more attractive and the famous cheery blossom.